Loper Low Brass
The University of Nebraska at Kearney is the preeminent institution for music and musicians in Central Nebraska. As part of UNK's Department of Music and Performing Arts, the Loper Low Brass studio provides a comprehensive, creative, and uniquely refreshing approach to provide its graduates with the tools necessary to succeed in their musical endeavor of choice. Low brass study at UNK includes weekly lessons and studio classes, daily warm-up class, guest artist recitals and masterclasses, studio trips, and involvement in the state's only active chapters of the International Trombone Association and the International Tuba-Euphonium Association. Studio members are provided with a plethora of performance opportunities beyond UNK's large-ensemble offerings, including: solo and chamber group recitals, low brass ensemble performances, brass quintet, and our annual TUBACHRISTMAS event.
2011-2012 Studio Member Profiles
TOMMY AUGUSTIN
Hometown: Crofton, NE; School: Crofton H.S.; Major: Music Performance and Psychology. Favorite TV Show: Glee; The meaning of life is to gain knowledge of oneself; Childhood Hero: Elvis Presley.
MICHAEL CRAWFORD
Hometown: Broken Bow, NE; High School: Broken Bow H.S.; Major: Music Performance;Favorite TV Show: All of the Fox animated shows; The meaning of life is to learn as much as you possibly can and to be happy; Childhood Hero: the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
ZACH MARGHEIM
Hometown: Kearney, NE; High School: Kearney H.S.; Major: Music Business; Favorite TV Show:Tosh.0; The meaning of life is music, friends, and family; Childhood Hero: Optimus Prime.
VERGIL NELSON
Hometown: Minden, NE; High School: Minden H.S.; Major: Music Education; Favorite TV Show: Family Guy or NCIS; The meaning of life is to live life to the fullest and to make decisions that will help others and better yourself as a person; Childhood Hero: Duo Maxwell.
ERIC REMPE
Hometown: Grand Island, NE; High School: Grand Island Sr. High; Major: Music Business; Favorite TV Show: South Park; The meaning of life is to conquer the biggest obstacle in life, the personal burden you carry every day. Succumb to the burden, and you will make it nowhere. Conquer it and nothing can defeat you; Childhood Hero: Yoda.
PATIENCE BUCK
Hometown: Grand Island, NE; High School: Grand Island Northwest H.S.; Major: Music Education; Favorite TV Show: That 70's Show; The meaning of life is never having too many because the choices you make have molded you into the person you are; Childhood Hero: Sailor Moon.
JONATHAN HUNZEKER
Hometown: Minden, NE; High School: Minden H.S.; Major: Music Performance; Favorite TV Show: Star Trek: The Next Generation; The meaning of life is to feel that my small part in time had an impact; Childhood Hero: Speed Racer.
MARK MESSNER
Hometown: Ogallala, NE; High School: Ogallala H.S.; Major: Music Education, Theatre Minor; Favorite TV Show: Sons of Anarchy; The meaning of life is the moonlight, a tuba, and you; Childhood Hero: Thundercats.
PAULA NEWHOUSE
Hometown: Omaha, NE; High School: Millard South H.S.; Major: Music Education; Favorite TV Show: Criminal Minds; The meaning of life is to do what makes you happy, don't be apologetic about it, and don't hold back; Childhood Hero: Ariel, the Little Mermaid.
BROCK PERSSON
Hometown: Kearney, NE; High School: Kearney H.S.; Major: Music Education; Favorite TV Show: Blue Mountain State; Wouldn't you like to know what the meaning of life is; Childhood Hero: The U.S. Military.
LEE RUSHING
Hometown: Marion, AR; High School: Marion H.S.; Major: Music Ed. Initial Certification; Favorite Show:Roseanne; The meaning of life is it's purple, because the ice cream has no bones; Childhood Hero: George Carlin.
